ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President greets Prime Minister on his Birthday
(The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today extended his birthday greetings to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
In a X post, the Vice-President said;
“Warm birthday greetings to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri @narendramodi Ji. Your visionary leadership, missionary spirit and exemplary execution have steered Bharat to phenomenal progress and epochal transformation. Your legacy is etched in the annals of our nation’s history.
Bharat, home to one sixth of humanity, would ever cherish your commitment to inclusivity, public welfare and visionary outlook in sync with our civilisational ethos.
May you be blessed with good health and happiness by the Almighty to be in service of Bharat in the years ahead.”
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
On a steep rise, India conducts more than 4.23 cr tests
43% of Total Cases recorded in just 3 States-Maharashtra, AP, Karnataka
India has exhibited determined resolve to expand the testing which has led to an exponential hike of COVID-19 testing. Starting from a single test in one lab in Pune in January 20202, the daily testing capacity has been scaled up to more than 10 lakh in August 2020.
The cumulative tests have crossed 4.23 cr today. 8,46,278 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.
India has registered 78,512 cases in the last 24 hours . Hence the report by certain Media Entities of about 80,000 cases in the last 24 hours is without any basis.
Seven States have contributed to 70% of these new cases in the last 24 hours. Of these, Maharashtra has contributed the maximum case load amounting to almost 21%, followed by Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka  and Tamil Nadu which stands at 8.27%. Uttar Pradesh with 8.27%, West Bengal with 3.85%, and Odisha with 3.84% are the remaining States contributing to the increased caseload.
Of the total cumulative number of cases, 43% are recorded in just three states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. While Tamil Nadu has contributed 11.66% of the total cases.
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka also account for about 50% of the deaths added in the last 24 hours due to COVID-19, with Maharashtra leading with 30.48%.
The Union Government is regularly engaging with States/UTs that are reporting a spurt in cases and those with higher fatality rate. They have been advised to undertake aggressive measures to ensure higher testing, effective clinical management to lower fatality and save lives along with efficient monitoring at various levels.
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf.
Ministry of Railways
Clone Train Scheme
To contain spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Railways have discontinued all regular passenger trains w.e.f 23rd March, 2020. Presently, only special trains, keeping in view the suggestions and concerns of the State Governments and health advisories issued, are being operated. Indian Railways is keeping a close watch on the occupancy and waitlist position of these special trains and is operating “Clone trains”, on routes where traffic demand is high. As on 26.07.2021, 22 Clone trains are being operated.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
New Wage Settlement of MOIL workers signed between MOIL Management-MOIL Kamgar Sanghathan, in the presence of Chief Labour Commissioner 
Wage revision to benefit close to 6000 company employees.
In a major development & relief to more than 6000 workers wage settlement was signed between MOIL Management-MOIL Kamgar Sanghathan in presence of Chief Labour Commissioner .MOIL Limited is a Schedule-A, Miniratna Category-I CPSE under the administrative control of Ministry of Steel, Government of India.
Thewage revision is for 10 years’ duration w.e.f 01.08.2017 up to .31.07.2027, benefitting close to 6000 company employees. It is based on an MOU arrived between management and recognized union of MOIL i.e. MOIL Kamgar Sanghatan . The settlement includes fitment benefit of 20% and perks/allowances at the rate of 20%. An Interim relief @ 12% of Basic and DA was given by the company w.e.f May, 2019.
It was agreed that MOIL will be making the arrear payment in one go, which will have a financial impact of Rs. 218 crores approximately for the period it is due i.e. from 1st August, 2017 to 30th September, 2021. The financial impact of the proposed wage revision will be about Rs.87 crores per annum. MOIL LIMITED has already made full provisions for this wage increase in the books of accounts.
Recently approval of the wage revision of MOIL workers was announced by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Steel, Government of India, However, long standing formal wage settlement was Signed today at Delhi with Recognized workers Union, CMD in presence of Shri D.P.S. Negi, Chief Labour Commissioner .
Representing the Management at the historic wage settlement were Shri Mukund P. Chaudhari, Chairman-cum Managing Director MOIL Ltd., Shri Rakesh Tumane, Director , MOIL Ltd., Smt. Usha Singh, Director  MOIL Ltd., Shri PVV Patnaik, Director  & I/c , MOIL Ltd. and Shri C.B. Atulkar, ED  MOIL Ltd.
The Union was represented by Shri Ramawatar Dewangan, Secretary General, MOIL Kamgar Sanghathan HO Nagpur, Shri Mukunda Jambulkar, vice President, HO Nagpur, Shri Vedprakash Diwan, Branch Secretary.Shri Appu Nair,Treasurer, HO Nagpur and Shri Aifaz Kureshi, General Secretary
MOIL is the largest producer of manganese ore in the country and operates eleven mines in the State of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. MOIL holds nearly 34% of manganese ore reserves of the country and is contributing nearly 45% of the domestic production. The company has ambitious vision of almost doubling its production to 25 lakh MT by FY 2024-25. MOIL is also exploring business opportunity in the State of Gujarat, other areas in the State of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Odisha.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India-Gulf Cooperation Council  decide to pursue resumption of Free Trade Agreement  Negotiations
Comprehensive FTA to create numerous jobs and raise living standards in both countries
FTA will significantly expand and diversify India’s trade with its largest trading bloc GCC
Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India, and His Excellency Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf, Secretary General, Gulf Cooperation Council , held a Joint Press Conference, in New Delhi today, to announce the intent to pursue negotiations on the India-GCC FTA.
With forward-looking and solution-oriented deliberations, bilateral engagements witnessed significant progress on all matters of mutual interest across the entire gamut of bilateral economic relations between India and the GCC nations.
Both sides agreed to expedite conclusion of the requisite legal and technical requirements for formal resumption of the FTA negotiations. The FTA is envisaged to be a modern, comprehensive Agreement with substantial coverage of goods and services. Both sides emphasized that the FTA will create new jobs, raise living standards, and provide wider social and economic opportunities in India and all the GCC countries. Both sides agreed to significantly expand and diversify the trade basket in line with the enormous potential that exists on account of the complementary business and economic ecosystems of India and the GCC.
It may be noted that the GCC is currently India’s largest trading partner bloc with bilateral trade in FY 2021-22 valued at over USD 154 billion with exports valued at approximately USD 44 billion and imports of around USD 110 billion . Bilateral trade in services between India and the GCC was valued at around USD 14 billion in FY 2021-22, with exports valued at USD 5.5 Billion and imports at USD 8.3 Billion.
GCC countries contribute almost 35% of India’s oil imports and 70% of gas imports. India’s overall crude oil imports from the GCC in 2021-22 were about $48 billion, while LNG and LPG imports in 2021-22 were about $21 billion. Investments from the GCC in India are currently valued at over USD 18 billion.
Prime Minister's Office
Board Members of USIBC call on PM
Board members of United States India Business Council  called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.
They briefed the Prime Minister on the outcomes of the India Idea Forum held in Mumbai earlier this week. The business leaders expressed their desire to prepare a roadmap to achieve the target of $ 500 billion in bilateral trade and expand meaningfully their CSR activities in India.
Interacting with the members, the Prime Minister mentioned various reforms undertaken by the Government of India. He also spoke of the enormous investment potential in India, and encouraged the American investor community to step up investment in the country. Mentioning the shared values between India and the US, he also called for greater people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Prime Minister's Office
Phone call between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the President of the Republic of Maldives H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had a telephone conversation today.
President Solih thanked Prime Minister Modi for the India’s cooperation and support in the fight against the Covid pandemic.
Both leaders reviewed the progress of the India-supported development projects in the Maldives and expressed satisfaction at the rapid pace of implementation despite the constraints of the Covid pandemic.
Prime Minister Modi noted that Maldives is a central pillar in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and its maritime vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region .
Prime Minister also conveyed his congratulations to H.E. President Solih for the election of Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid as the President of the UN General Assembly.
The telephone conversation between the two leaders provided them an opportunity to take stock of the overall state of bilateral relations and provide further momentum and guidance to the ongoing substantive cooperation between the two countries.
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 197.11 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 94,420
- Active cases stand at 0.22%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.57%
- 15,208 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,27,87,606
- 17,073 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 86.10 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,03,604 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
Review of progress of North-Eastern States on SBM-G
Secretary of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Shri Parameswaran Iyer reviewed the progress of all North-Eastern States on Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen  at a regional workshop in Guwahati today. Senior government representatives from Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura discussed the measures taken by them to achieve an Open Defecation Free  North-East by October 2018, a full year ahead of the national target of 2nd October 2019 for the Swachh Bharat. The three ODF states of the region - Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram discussed the measures taken by them to sustain their achievements, as well as go from ODF to ODF+ through solid and liquid waste management.
Earlier in the day, the Secretary called on the Chief Minister of Assam Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and discussed Assam's progress on SBM-G. The Secretary assured the state of complete support of the Government of India towards SBM-G, including the eligible funds in a timely manner. The Chief Minister reiterated the state’s commitment to achieve an ODF Assam by 2nd October 2018.
Following this meeting, the Chief Secretary of Assam Smt. T. Y. Das, along with Secretary MDWS, conducted a detailed review of the SBM-G with all District Magistrates of the state through Video Conferencing. The Chief Secretary re-iterated the importance of people's participation in the mission, especially of women. She asked the DMs to ensure concurrent reporting of progress on the SBM-G Management Information System . She encouraged the DMs to get school and college students to explain the importance of sanitation and cleanliness to their parents. She also asked them to gear up for the upcoming Swachh Survekshan Grameen survey which will rank all districts and states of India on Swachhata based on quantitative and qualitative parameters, including offline and online citizens’ feedback. 
Meanwhile, the sanitation coverage has increased from 39% in 2014 to 89.5% at the national level today, with over 4.12 lakh villages, 421 districts, 14 States and 5 UTs already declared ODF.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
NCW organizes All India meeting of DG /IG Prisons
As part of its mandate, the NCW examines various jails throughout India, paying close attention to ensuring the rights of women inmates
Commission will be taking recommendations forward to ensure that necessary steps taken to improve welfare of women inmates in prisons.
The National Commission for Women  organized an All India meeting with the Director Generals  and Inspector Generals  of Prisons on ‘Police Administration in Light of the Rights of Women Prisoners’ to discuss provisions that impact the welfare of women inmates in prisons. The meeting was attended by around 16 DGs/IGs of Prisons and representatives from States across India along with officials from DLSAs, NGOs and academia.
The meeting was chaired by Chairperson, NCW, Ms. Rekha Sharma, and also attended by Shri Asholi Chalai, Joint Secretary of NCW, and Shri James Miahlung, Deputy Secretary of the NCW. In her inaugural address, Ms. Sharma emphasized on the importance of ensuring that women prisoners have access to all necessary amenities. She called on the Director General  of Prisons to facilitate the economic rehabilitation and reintegration of these women with their families and society after their release from prison.
As part of its mandate, the NCW examines various jails throughout India, paying close attention to ensuring the rights of women inmates.
The DGs and Inspectors General  presented the best practices adopted by the states with regard to the amenities offered to inmates, counseling services, skill development trainings for female inmates, and the reintegration of these women into society.
During the meeting, several suggestions were made to improve the condition of women inmates. These suggestions included hiring more prison staff, focusing on the mental health problems faced by inmates, addressing infrastructure problems of prisons, giving inmates access to quality legal aid and assistance, and ensuring that they receive robust vocational training.
The recommendations also included facilitating more in-person meetings of inmates with their family members, providing recreational facilities to the inmates, exploring the possibility of more open prisons and half-way homes, looking into Corporate Social Responsibility  funds for inmates' welfare, and establishing links between the prisons administration and the District Legal Services Authority.
The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including the overcrowding in prisons, availability of proper sanitation and hygiene facilities for women prisoners, and appointing trained and sensitive staff, particularly female officers and guards in these prisons.
The meeting also discussed new skill development trainings, legal assistance and aid for under trials, and the need to provide employment opportunities to the inmates.
The Commission will be taking all the recommendations discussed during the meeting forward to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to improve the welfare of women inmates in prisons.
Ministry of Defence
Visit of Chief of Naval Staff Bangladesh Navy to Southern Naval Command
Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury, Chief of Naval Staff, Bangladesh Navy  accompanied by spouse, three staff officers, Resident Defence Attache  of Bangladesh and Indian Defence Attache Dhaka visited Kochi on 10 Dec 19. The CNS, BN was received by Rear Admiral RJ Nadkarni, AVSM, VSM, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command at INS Garuda.
The CNS, BN had interaction with Vice Admiral AK Chawla, AVSM, NM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command on same day. During the interaction, various areas for enhancing cooperation between the two navies, especially in the field of training, were discussed.
During the visit, CNS Bangladesh Navy visited INS Dronacharya, Cochin Shipyard Limited, Diving School, INS Tarangini  and Indian Naval Air Squadron 550  at INS Garuda. He also interacted with Bangladeshi Naval officers and sailors undergoing training at various Indian Naval units.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Drawl of Water From Krishna River Basin by Karnataka
The actual water accounting is being done by Krishna River Management Board  for the water utilized from Krishna river basin by the States for irrigation and drinking water supply purposes. KRMB has representatives from both the concerned States - Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Presently water is being utilized for irrigation and drinking water purposes from Srisailam reservoir. KRMB has requested Telangana State Genco authorities to stop further use of water for power generation immediately through Srisailam Left Power House.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Tribal Affairs, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Cabinet Secretary chairs NCMC meeting to review flood situation in Kerala
Rescue & relief operations to be scaled up
Additional manpower and equipment to be mobilized
A meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee  was held here today to ensure continued and scale up assistance to the State of Kerala in view of the prevailing floods situation. On the instructions of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Cabinet Secretary Shri PK Sinha chaired the meeting in which Secretaries of Central Ministries including Defence, Home, Water Resources and Chiefs of Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Disaster Response Force , Member, National Disaster Management Authority , Chairman, Central Water Commission  and other senior officers were present. Kerala also participated over video conference represented by Chief Secretary and his team. Cabinet Secretary took stock of the situation, preparedness, rescue and relief operations and directed that immediate and continued assistance be provided to Kerala to meet this crisis.
Government of India is fully supporting the State of Kerala and has launched massive relief and rescue operations in the State. In the NCMC meeting, the Cabinet Secretary pressed into service all the forces – Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, NDRF and other Central Armed Police Forces ; and directed that all possible assistance should be provided to Kerala for relief and rescue operations. The Cabinet Secretary also directed that relief material including supply of drinking water, dry food packets and powdered milk should also be made available to Kerala. For proper reservoir management in Mullaperiyar Dam, Cabinet Secretary constituted a Committee chaired by Chairman, Central Water Commission and Engineers-in-Chief of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
As of now, 18 teams of NDRF, 9 columns and 8 teams of Engineering Task Force  of the Army, 22 teams of Coast Guard, 24 diving teams of Navy along with helicopters, aircrafts, boats, equipment, life buoys, life jackets, etc., have been dispatched to assist Kerala in rescue operations as well as evacuation of stranded people. Besides this, medical assistance is also being provided by NDRF, Army, Navy including in special medical camps. So far, 2,182 persons have been rescued, 968 stranded people have been evacuated through prompt action of NDRF, Army and Navy.
The NCMC will meet tomorrow again to review the situation.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Secretary I&B reviewed the progress under Special Campaign 2.0 for Swachhata at Akashwani Bhawan New Delhi
The progress under Special Campaign 2.0 for Swachhata at Akashwani Bhawan Complex at Parliament Street Delhi was reviewed by Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary  on 27th Oct 2022. Shri Mayank Aggarwal, CEO Prasar Bharati , Sh Jayant Sinha, AS&FA and Shri R.K. Jena, Senior Economic Advisor from M/o I&B, and other senior officers of AIR were present. During review Shri Chandra took a round in different floors at Akashwani Bhawan and the spots where old obsolete scrap and e-waste were under the process of disposal. The Secretary also visited the inner part of Akashwani Bhawan where lot of debris, construction malwa, and discarded building items have been piled up due to the ongoing renovation work of building. Secretary  desired that this area should be fully renovated and converted into Food Court in a similar way done at Dak Bhawan premises.
Shri Jitendra Arora, DDG  made a pictorial representation for the outstanding achievements of AIR under SCPDM 2.0. and highlighted the achievement of AIR Stations with respect to the targets assigned viz. auctioning of scrap and e-Waste, condemnation of old vehicles, weeding out of physical files, etc. Some of the notable achievements of AIR Stations are mentioned below:
- About 30000 kg of old furniture, metal scraps, e-waste, old / obsolete AM Transmitter and Studio Equipment etc has been identified and auctioned and disposal is in progress.
- More than 2.5 Crore of revenue generated by way of auctioning of e-waste and old furniture and scraps.
- Around 10000 square feet of indoor space is likely to be freed during the campaign.
- Identification of 100 odd old vehicles stationed in different campuses has been done and condemnation and auction process is in progress.
- More than 50000 physical files have been reviewed and action for weeding out is in progress.
- Plantation of trees in the AIR campuses is in progress
- Cutting of wild growth in Aerial Fields of Transmitting Sites is in progress
- Action taken for speedy disposal of Public Grievances on CPGRAM Portal
- Swachhata Diwas : One day of a week has been identified for special weekly cleanliness
- Practice of Inter-office cleanliness Inspection at regular interval being adopted
- Energy Audit of Stations/ Offices is underway..
Secretary, I&B appreciated the progress made so far and the notable achievement by AIR under Special Campaign 2.0 and said that the remaining work needed to be completed at the earliest.